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UCC honours Thabo Mbeki
Cape Coast, July 4, Ghanadot/GNA - The University of
Cape Coast (UCC), on Wednesday conferred a honourary
Doctorate of Laws degree on President Thabo Mbeki of South
Africa.
There was prolonged applause at the auditorium of the
University when the degree was conferred on President Thabo
Mbeki, who was accompanied by Ghana's President, Mr John
Agyekum Kufuor.
The presentation was preceded by a lengthy and impressive
citation extolling the qualities of Mr Mbeki as a
distinguished statesman and role model, both in his country
and on the continent.
The citation, which was read by the UCC's Dean of Science,
Professor Mansa Prah, among others, recounted Mr Mbeki's
contributions to the development of the African National
Congress (ANC) from the time he was a student, and of his
contributions to the development of his country and of the
continent and of global peace, since he assumed the
Presidency of his country.
It said, "Before and since particularly assuming the
prestigious office of the presidency, you have through
prudent management and implementation of bold policies,
championed the rapid social and economic transformation of
the Republic of South Africa".
"In the light of your pragmatic and dynamic leadership, your
incontrovertibly selfless statesmanship, your unalloyed
quest for socio-economic emancipation and empowerment of
humanity; your unquenchable zeal for African unity and your
creditable contribution towards global peace.
It further said, "as a concrete manifestation of your
exemplary leadership and vision, you put forward the New
Partnership for African Development that has been
acknowledged as the single most important roadmap for
delivering the hopes and aspirations of the continent"
The citation described him, among others as, a freedom
fighter, Pan-Africanist, patriot, and role model and that
the UCC "salutes you for your distinguished service to
humanity to Africa and the world at large".
In his address, the Chancellor of the UCC Dr (Sir) Sam Jonah
said the University has a tradition of honouring
personalities who have been of exemplary service to Africa.
The UCC Chancellor described President Mbeki's speeches as
inspiring for the continent, and cited in particular his now
very famous speech "I am an African", which he said bore
similarities with the speech given by Ghana's first
President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah on the day Ghana became
independent, and which mainly, dwelt on the importance of
African unity.
President Mbeki, among others, already has honorary
doctorate degrees conferred on him by the Rand Afrikaans
University and the Glasgow Caledonian University.
GNA
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